Carlisle City came out on top 3-2 at Gillford Park in their Northern League Division One derby against Penrith.
The result hinged on City’s flying start and a big finish from Penrith which ultimately fell just short.
City were 3-0 ahead inside the first 11 minutes in a dream start as Callum Birdsall (2, 11) and Dan Kirkup (4) found the Penrith net.
Penrith forced the pace in the second half but their recovery started too late with goals from Robbie Hebson (84), and Nick Holden (90+5).
City manager Jim Nichols said: “Our chairman tells me that’s the first time we have beaten Penrith in a competitive League fixture so that was to our credit.
“Although we let them back in late on with two goals near the end I did think we were comfortable, and it all really stemmed from our start.
“We got those three early goals and to be honest should have had more by half-time but the pleasing thing is we are scoring goals from all over the park.
“The six points in four days puts us joint sixth and with bottom side Tow Law to come on Saturday we have a great chance to consolidate and push for a play-off place.”
His opposite number Darren Edmondson felt their second-half performance should have been good enough to earn Penrith a point.
He said: “It was the start that killed us. City’s strength is their set pieces and we didn’t deal with two of them while the first one was a miss kick which looped over our keeper.
“We had to weather the storm but in the second-half I thought we dominated and played some very good football.
“City had to dig in and although we scored twice late-on we should have done even better because twice we had one-on-ones with the keeper but couldn’t capitalise.
“We just have to accept the defeat and get back to business on Saturday when we are at home to Whitley who are actually level with Carlisle City on points.”
